21 February, 2008

Random queries no. 133

One of a series of genuine search engine enquiries which successfully brought visitors to the Ministry.  Can I help?

how much paper does a tree produce

Depends on the tree, obviously (size, species, etc.), but also on the type of paper – newsprint manufacture uses more of the tree than the production of 'presentation-quality' or even just office printer paper.

If I remember correctly, if one averages out all the parameters (e.g. a unit weight of mixed soft- & hardwood species of an average age and girth), one can expect roughly 80 kg of newsprint or around 40 kg of printer paper per 'standard tree'.
Which isn't much, though that presumes the paper only contains fresh wood pulp, with no recycled content.

And even if I do remember correctly, my information is ~15 years old....